Even us machines break

As much as we (I) hate to admit…we are Human and not free of injury and sickness. I consider myself to be the most serious of people in regards to exercise and nutrition but even I break down from time to time. It’s inevitable and if you’re pushing yourself to the outer boundaries of your physical limits it’s bound to happen. Age can contribute to it but we cannot use age as an excuse. If you’re eating clean and training “smart” the occasional injury or setback will be minimal. The important thing is to recognize it and know how to treat it when the hammer falls.

     In regards to weight training, there still is a myth that one needs to train “heavy” as far as “poundage’s” to put on muscle. This is incorrect and often seen with the younger crowd. Power lifters push enormous amounts of weights (competitively) and LIVE in injury most of the time. I won’t deny I trained heavy in my early years of training but soon realized (through a lot of trial and error) that it’s far more complex than just “moving” heavy weights. The human physiology has a vast array of different types of muscle fibers that need a variety of training. Going heavy will get only so far but YES it will assist in the development of muscle….BUT…will eventually bring on breakdown and injury if pressed on too long. There must be some endurance incorporated to stimulate those other muscle fibers that will contribute to the development of more muscle. These fibers ALSO keep better flow of oxygen and nutrients to muscle…..in other words….leaner! Going heavy only leaves you bloaty and hurt! No thanks!

Getting back to injury, if you find yourself in this situation the best course of action if fast action. We all know when we get hurt. It’s often times in the gym involving shoulders or back, more than likely from heavy chest work or going too heavy on legs. Improper positioning on machines always is the cause but a lot of times one gets hurt from things they did (or didn’t) before the workout. I witness a lot of people being chronically dehydrated which leads to muscles not getting warmed up and the client being dizzy from low blood pressure. Also and more common, the person is starving themselves (in efforts to lose weight) thus a combo of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and low blood pressure add the injury cocktail. One wrong step or jump or placement on machine and BOOM….something pops! Ouch!

Hopefully the above does not happen, but if so, immediately ICE the injury site and cease the workout if possible. I can only get worse if you carry on. Keep the Ice on it and continue to do so for a couple days. It will bring down swelling and allow the healing to begin. Damage cannot be fixed (providing it JUST an pull or sprain) until the inflammatory process is done. If it’s a tear or something broken you MUST seek professional attention. Call your Doctor and have it looked at! Icing and Advil will not fix a serious injury!

                          So HIT it hard but BE CAREFUL!

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